Community pushes for safer intersection after deadly crash

McKoy Scribner
·2 min read
1

AURELIUS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLNS) – People who live near the intersection of Columbia Road and College Road in Aurelius Township said it’s not safe.

Community members are pushing for changes to be made after a 26-year-old mother from Holt was killed in a crash there on Sunday with her 3-year-old child sustaining serious injuries.

The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to 6 News that Sunday’s crash was the second serious crash within the past seven days.

Signs for the cross of College Rd. and Columbia Rd. in Aurelius Township. (WLNS)
Signs for the cross of College Rd. and Columbia Rd. in Aurelius Township. (WLNS)

Ed Hude, who has lived next to the intersection for nearly 30 years, said it’s getting more dangerous as time goes on.

“I would just like to ask people to just slow down, take their time, and not be in a hurry,” he said.

Tire tracks and shards of glass remain at the intersection as a result of the most recent crash.

“You could see two vehicles with extensive damage over in the southeast corner of the intersection,” Hude added.

The Mason resident said there have been about four to six crashes that have happened at the intersection in 2023.

The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office said a vehicle driven by a 21-year-old man from Lansing was headed southbound on College Rd. and didn’t yield when approaching Columbia Rd. crossing. The driver hit a black sedan that was traveling eastbound, which was being driven by 26-year-old Makenna Morse with her 3-year-old daughter.

The three were taken to the hospital where the mother later died from her injuries.

6 News saw emergency vehicles, including ambulances, leaving the scene near College and Columbia roads, west of Mason. (WLNS)
6 News saw emergency vehicles, including ambulances, leaving the scene near College and Columbia roads, west of Mason. (WLNS)

“The ‘stop signs ahead’ were placed due to prior accidents there, for people who aren’t familiar with the area or intersection and stuff to kind of give them a heads up. And one time I heard they were talking about putting in a four-way stop there and maybe they’ll have to give a reconsideration to that,” Hude said.

On Monday, an Ingham County Sheriff’s Deputy was policing the intersection.

“My sympathies go out to the families of the deceased young lady, and hopefully the young man who was involved in the crash recovers, and I hope the young girl, the 3-year-old recovers in this,” Hude added.

6 News reached out to the Ingham County Road Department to check if they plan to make any changes at the intersection. One staff member did not comment but added that changes may be in the works.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crash according to the sheriff’s office.

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